Clippers, Lakers to open season against each other

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers under new coach Doc Rivers will open the NBA season on Oct. 29 against the Lakers.

Chris Paul and the Clippers will be the designated visiting team against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers at Staples Center in the game televised nationally on TNT.

The Clippers said Tuesday that because of increased demand, tickets will go on sale to the public on Wednesday, with about 1,000 available for every home game.

The Clippers play 10 of their first 16 games at Staples Center, with their home opener set for Oct. 31 against Golden State. Twenty-nine of the team's games will be nationally televised, the second-most in franchise history.

Ex-Laker Dwight Howard and the Houston Rockets will visit on Nov. 4, the Oklahoma City Thunder visit on Nov. 13, and Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce bring the Brooklyn Nets to Staples on Nov. 16.